Junior Aubrey Lensmeyer helped the Ankeny softball team to a 22-22 record and a fourth-place finish in the Class 5A state tournament, the Hawkettes' highest finish since the split into two high schools a decade ago. She was named to the CIML Conference third team as a pitcher. Lensmeyer compiled a 7-10 mark with a 3.54 ERA. She allowed just 40 walks while … [Read more...] about Revive Clinic and Spa Prep of the Week: Aubrey Lensmeyer, Ankeny softball
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Centennial’s Smith to play basketball at Grand View, will be reunited with Murray
Former teammates Tillie Smith and Cleao Murray will be reunited again in the fall of 2025. Smith, a senior-to-be guard at Ankeny Centennial, has committed to play basketball at Grand View. One of the Vikings' current stars is Murray, who will be a junior this fall. Both Murray and Smith played on the 2021-22 Ankeny Centennial team that posted a 20-4 … [Read more...] about Centennial’s Smith to play basketball at Grand View, will be reunited with Murray
Centennial trio, ACA duo earn all-district honors along with Ankeny’s Rusher
Ankeny Centennial softball standouts Jordyn Kennedy, Mady Ott and Lauren Sandholm have been selected to the Class 5A West all-district team along with Ankeny star Abby Rusher, while the Ankeny Christian Academy duo of Riese Gjerde and Katie Quick were named to the Class 1A South Central all-district squad. The teams were selected by the Iowa Girls' Coaches … [Read more...] about Centennial trio, ACA duo earn all-district honors along with Ankeny’s Rusher
Lindaman becomes 9th Ankeny player to join IGHSAU Softball Hall of Fame
The 2012 Ankeny softball team was already blessed with a handful of stars. But when eighth grader Kendyl Lindaman joined the team's lineup, the Hawkettes became nearly unbeatable. Lindaman set a Class 5A tournament record with three home runs while helping Ankeny to the 13th state championship in school history. She was named the captain of the … [Read more...] about Lindaman becomes 9th Ankeny player to join IGHSAU Softball Hall of Fame
‘We were doubted for sure’: Hawkettes place 4th, their highest finish since 2013
When the Ankeny softball team entered postseason play on a six-game losing streak, the odds of the Hawkettes capturing a state tournament trophy seemed remote at best. But over the last two weeks, that's exactly what coach Dave Bingham's squad was able to do. Ninth-ranked Ankeny closed out the season on Thursday with a 6-5 loss to No. 11 Urbandale in … [Read more...] about ‘We were doubted for sure’: Hawkettes place 4th, their highest finish since 2013
‘It felt like home immediately’: Blackmore commits to play at Western Colorado
Ankeny Centennial's Finley Blackmore has verbally committed to play basketball at Western Colorado University, an NCAA Division II program that competes in the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference. Blackmore said she picked the Mountaineers over a few other schools. "I went on an unofficial visit last September and fell in love with everything about the … [Read more...] about ‘It felt like home immediately’: Blackmore commits to play at Western Colorado
Rusher leads Ankeny to 4th-place finish, lands spot on Class 5A all-tourney team
Ankeny senior Abby Rusher was named to the Class 5A all-tournament team after leading the Hawkettes to a fourth-place finish in the state softball tournament this week at Fort Dodge. Rusher went 4-for-10 at the plate with at least one hit in all three games. She went 2-for-3 and had a solo home run, her first of the season, in the Hawkettes' 8-1 loss to … [Read more...] about Rusher leads Ankeny to 4th-place finish, lands spot on Class 5A all-tourney team
‘It just didn’t go our way’: Hawkettes will play for 3rd place after tumbling to Valley
Not even a 90-minute rain delay could slow down the Valley softball team's impressive march to the Class 5A championship game. The top-ranked Tigers overcame a brief thunderstorm in the top of the third inning to beat No. 9 Ankeny, 8-1, in the semifinals of the state tournament on Wednesday at Harlan Rogers Park in Fort Dodge. "They're a good hitting … [Read more...] about ‘It just didn’t go our way’: Hawkettes will play for 3rd place after tumbling to Valley
‘I had a gut feeling’: Ankeny’s Scheib commits to play volleyball at Bellevue
Ankeny volleyball standout Kamryn Scheib has verbally committed to play for Bellevue University, an NAIA school located in Bellevue, Neb. Scheib, an outside hitter, said she picked the Bruins over UW-Platteville and UW-Stevens Point. "Those were my top three options," said Scheib. "But I really loved how the (Bellevue) coach and players treated me, and … [Read more...] about ‘I had a gut feeling’: Ankeny’s Scheib commits to play volleyball at Bellevue
An all-CIML softball final in Fort Dodge?: Breaking down the Class 5A semifinals
The CIML Conference nearly advanced four teams to Wednesday's Class 5A semifinals at the state softball tournament, which would have guaranteed an all-CIML final in Thursday's championship. The title game could still feature two teams from the CIML, but it will take a sizable upset in the second semifinal game. Here's a closer look at the two … [Read more...] about An all-CIML softball final in Fort Dodge?: Breaking down the Class 5A semifinals
Dhabolt earns runner-up finish at 150 pounds in 16U Freestyle Nationals
Ankeny Centennial wrestler Max Dhabolt is building a pretty impressive resume. The sophomore-to-be earned a second-place finish at 150 pounds in the 16U Freestyle Nationals last week at Fargo, N.D. He advanced to the championship match before dropping a 10-0 decision to Jayden James of New Jersey, a returning freestyle national champion. "I was going … [Read more...] about Dhabolt earns runner-up finish at 150 pounds in 16U Freestyle Nationals
‘You could feel this’: Ankeny girls blank Wolves, will face No. 1 Valley in semifinals
On paper, the ninth-ranked Ankeny softball team appeared to be facing an uphill battle against No. 4 Waukee Northwest in Monday's Class 5A quarterfinals at the state tournament. Ankeny coach Dave Bingham, though, had plenty of confidence in his squad. "I don't know if a team was more prepared for a game in all of my years of coaching," Bingham said … [Read more...] about ‘You could feel this’: Ankeny girls blank Wolves, will face No. 1 Valley in semifinals
Revive Clinic and Spa Prep of the Week: Avery Nelson, Ankeny softball
Sophomore outfielder Avery Nelson has helped the ninth-ranked Ankeny softball team to a 21-20 record and a second consecutive trip to the Class 5A state tournament. She is batting .362 on the season with 13 RBIs. Nelson leads the Hawkettes with 138 at-bats, 50 hits, 41 singles, eight doubles and 21 stolen bases. She ranks second on the squad with 26 runs … [Read more...] about Revive Clinic and Spa Prep of the Week: Avery Nelson, Ankeny softball
State softball preview: 5 CIML schools begin quest for Class 5A title on Monday
The state softball tournament gets under way on Monday with the Class 5A quarterfinals at Harlan Rogers Park. The Class 5A field includes the top four teams in the final rankings, but a rash of upsets in regional play also saw three teams ranked ninth or lower make it to Fort Dodge along with unranked Cedar Rapids Prairie. Will the upsets continue this … [Read more...] about State softball preview: 5 CIML schools begin quest for Class 5A title on Monday
‘They just played better and beat us’: Jags drop 2-0 decision to Baumler, Dowling
While Ankeny Centennial star Joey Oakie elected to turn pro after being selected in the MLB amateur draft, Dowling Catholic's Trever Baumler reportedly turned down some pretty good offers to finish out his high school career and to play college baseball at TCU. The Maroons benefited from that decision on Wednesday night. Baumler tossed a three-hitter … [Read more...] about ‘They just played better and beat us’: Jags drop 2-0 decision to Baumler, Dowling
‘I just couldn’t be prouder’: Christensen tosses gem, but ACA falls in 9 innings
(Story by Stephen McDaniel) With a trip to the state tournament on the line, one run was all that was needed to settle Class 1A Substate 7’s representative. The Ankeny Christian Academy Eagles (18-9) attempted to knock off the fifth-ranked Lynnville-Sully Hawks (26-3) during Tuesday's substate final in Pella. The Hawks ultimately outlasted ACA with a … [Read more...] about ‘I just couldn’t be prouder’: Christensen tosses gem, but ACA falls in 9 innings
‘We have some unfinished business’: Hawkettes top S.E. Polk, earn trip to state
The struggles of early July have been long forgotten by the Ankeny softball players. The ninth-ranked Hawkettes are headed to the state tournament. Abby Rusher tossed a six-hitter and Kensington Arringdale hit a home run to lead Ankeny past No. 10 Southeast Polk, 6-2, in a Class 5A regional final on Tuesday at Ankeny. The Hawkettes (21-20), who ended … [Read more...] about ‘We have some unfinished business’: Hawkettes top S.E. Polk, earn trip to state
‘This was a tough loss’: Defending state champs fall to Waukee in regional final
Back on May 23, the Ankeny Centennial softball team opened its season with a 1-0 loss to eventual Class 4A state qualifier Norwalk. Fifty-four days later, the defending state champion Jaguars closed out their campaign with another shutout loss on their home field. Lillie Struck tossed a two-hitter and retired 13 of the last 14 batters that she faced to … [Read more...] about ‘This was a tough loss’: Defending state champs fall to Waukee in regional final
Ankeny’s Rusher, Centennial’s Starr to play in Senior All-Star Softball Classic
Seniors Abby Rusher of Ankeny and Addi Starr of Ankeny Centennial have been selected to play in the Senior All-Star Softball Classic on July 27 at Waukee. Rusher will be a member of the Red Team coached by Katie Burman of Clarksville and Andy Pals of Waukee. Starr will play for the White Team coached by Troy Houge of Collins-Maxwell and Megan Anderson of … [Read more...] about Ankeny’s Rusher, Centennial’s Starr to play in Senior All-Star Softball Classic
‘It just wasn’t our night’: Hawks close out season with 8-1 loss at Sioux City East
Sioux City's East Jax Theeler homered on the first pitch in the bottom of the first inning and the Black Raiders went on to beat visiting Ankeny, 8-1, in a Class 4A substate baseball semifinal on Monday. Sioux City East (26-13) advanced to Wednesday's substate final at second-ranked Dallas Center-Grimes (34-3). The Hawks finished the season at … [Read more...] about ‘It just wasn’t our night’: Hawks close out season with 8-1 loss at Sioux City East